Burundi: Uganda's president to mediate in political factions

President Yoweri Museveni has left for Burundi Capital Bujumbura to seek dialogue among warring political factions as part of East Africa Community efforts to find a lasting solution to the current political situation in Burundi.

Museveni, the Pan Africanist was appointed by the 3rd extraordinary summit of the Heads of States of the East African community to lead and facilitate this process.President Yoweri Museveni leaves for Burundi on Tuesday morning. Photo by PPU
At the end of their summit held in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam, the EAC leaders appointed President Museveni to mediate talks between the two rival parties.

Political unrest erupted in Burundi in April after the ruling party CNDD-FDD announced that incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza would run for another term in the coming elections.

The announcement sparked protests from the opposition and other citizens who argued that the president was acting contrary to the country's constitution and the Arusha peace accord that ended a 13- year long civil strife.

A communique read by EAC Secretary General Richard Sezibera said the summit agreed that after the general election, the government to be elected should respect the Arusha peace accord.

The summit was attended by Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, the current chairman of the EAC, and President Museveni of Uganda.

Nkurunziza sent his foreign minister to attend the summit on his behalf, Kenya and Rwanda were also represented by high level officials.

-www.newvision.co.ug/